16:00 Musselburgh

Sunday 16 February 2025

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Visit racingtv.com Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 6m 11.1s

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Selected odds by:

Evenwood Sonofagun^p,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 93

12/1

Long-standing maiden who finished a good second over C&D in November and similar form both outings since, not beaten far when sixth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Catterick (19.3f) 25 days ago. Eased 1 lb ahead of this and he's an each-way player.

Form: 507256

Reflection Of You^p1,t1⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 91| C| DWS

11/1

Won sole start in Irish points (Oct 2023) and followed up in 6-runner bumper here first time out under Rules in April. Hasn't come close to that form in 3 hurdle runs this winter but does now get a first crack at handicaps. Cheekpieces/tongue tie on/also had wind op. Betting can guide.

Form: 110-635

Anamanda²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 87

4/1

Fairly useful winner on the Flat in France and some promise over hurdles, finding only one too good for second time in 3 starts at Ayr (21.4f) 4 weeks back. Not discounted operating from the same mark back up in trip.

Form: 4-69242

Dr Shirocco⁶⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 84| CD

10/1

Winless following 20 attempts over hurdles but made it win number 4 over fences here (23.6f) in November. Creditable fourth nudged up 2 lb back here 2 months ago and no great surprise to see a good showing returned to timber.

Form: 234814

Beat The Boum^p1⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 82

8/1

Lightly-raced maiden who attracted support but didn't see his race out when eighth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Hexham (23.3f) in December. Cheekpieces reached for back from a 67-day break but he does need to take a step forward.

Form: 3P5-588

Star Vantage^h,t¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 82

6/4

Remains a maiden after 18 runs but he hasn't been with Rebecca Menzies for that long and has shaped encouragingly since stepped up to 3m, pulling clear of the rest when chasing home a stablemate at Southwell 13 days ago. Big player if this doesn't come too quick.

Form: F-78432

Take A Hike^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 81

15/2

Runner-up both completed starts in Irish points. Steady improver over hurdles, best effort yet on first crack at this sort of trip when second in 10-runner Wetherby handicap 24 days ago. Feasible to think she could have more to offer as a stayer and respected.

Form: 25-5932

Didntgotwenty⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: M Todhunter| OR: 75

16/1

Unplaced both starts in Irish points and well held over hurdles to date. Could show more now upped in trip/sent handicapping from a very lowly mark and the betting may provide a useful guide.

Form: 6-4877

Forecasts

Star Vantage (6/4), Anamanda (4/1), Take A Hike (15/2), Beat The Boum (8/1), Dr Shirocco (10/1), Reflection Of You (11/1), Evenwood Sonofagun (12/1), Didntgotwenty (16/1)

STAR VANTAGE hasn't been with the Rebecca Menzies' yard long and again ran well when chasing home a stablemate at Southwell 2 weeks ago. Clear of the remainder that day, he's one to be interested in from this sort of mark and earns the vote re-united with Brian Hughes. Take A Hike and Anamanda are others fancied to feature, with handicap-debutante Reflection Of You another to note, particularly if the market spoke in her favour.